Music Picks 

Thursday 7.6

HEATHER DUBY

Seattle-based singer/songwriter Heather Duby has earned comparisons to more established female performers including Beth Orton and Siouxie Sioux, however it seems a bit misguided to draw such parallels. Duby’s voice is neither faltering like Orton’s, nor gothic like Sioux’s. It’s rather soft and commanding, driving Come Across the River’s lush orchestration with a gentle, persuasive touch. And while Duby is hardly punk, her powerful presence might help fill a void left by the departure of Sleater-Kinney. RIP S-K. Long live Heather. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com.

Also Thursday: Michael Franti & Spearhead (Gallivan Center); Catch 22 (Avalon Theater); All Hamerican Pig Show (Club Vegas); Hot Buttered Rum String Band (Suede, Park City)

Friday 7.7

RAY DAVIES

When Ray Davies performed at this year’s South by Southwest Music Conference, he played a few bars of “Waterloo Sunset” then announced the rest of his set would be free of any other Kinks material. As leader of one of the seminal British rock groups, Davies could coast on crowd favorites including “Lola” and “You Really Got Me,” however prefers to illustrate new personal experiences through narratives on Other People’s Lives. His first solo album reflects time spent in New Orleans following national crisis (9/11) and personal trauma (getting shot by a mugger). The result is a record built on the same brilliant songwriting that inspires requests for “All Day and All of the Night.” The Depot, 400 W. North Temple, 9 p.m. Tickets: DepotSLC.com.

Also Friday: Jon Schmidt (Sandy Amphitheater); Valencia (Avalon Theater); Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand (Kenley Amphitheater, Layton); Blues Traveler (Suede, Park City)

Saturday 7.8

SEATTLE MEN’S & WOMEN’S CHORUSES

You’d have to be living under a rock not to notice that 2006 marks 25 years of dealing (or in Reagan’s case, not dealing) with the worldwide AIDS epidemic. Despite valiant efforts, a cure eludes us. That’s why it’s so crucial to support organizations that continue to fight the good fight. Tonight’s concert, featuring the world’s largest group of accomplished gay & lesbian singers, benefits the Utah AIDS Foundation’s ongoing battle against a deadly, equal opportunity disease. Enjoy works by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, The Eagles and Carole King while adding your voice to a chorus of hope. Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 581-7100.

Also Saturday: Blue County (Sandy Amphitheater); Mason Jennings (Kilby Court); Founders Title Folk & Bluegrass Festival (Snowbird); Scarab (Urban Lounge); Deconstruct (Club Vegas); Almost Undone (Egos, see Music)

Sunday 7.9

Indigo Girls (Red Butte Garden); Founders Title Folk & Bluegrass Festival (Snowbird); Blue Checkered Record Player (Kilby Court)

Monday 7.10

AWOL ONE

One word sums up my love for AWOL One: Enunciation. The L.A. underground emcee speaks slow and low (almost in reverse), spelling out stories from the streets, from his house, from the news, in a style that sometimes results in a sonic four-car wreck. And where there’s an accident, there’s blood. Blood like the punk that oozes on The Art of War’s “Bloody Shoes.” Graphic like the lines on 2001’s Souldoubt about cutting out his tongue to prove his love or dying to fulfill his wish to be “a baby with a fresh brain, no woman in mind.” Yeah, he loves the ladies. Intelligent ladies. Did I mention my love for AWOL One? Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com (with 2 Mex and Life Rexall)

Tuesday 7.11

Bang Sugar Bang (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Ozric Tentacles, Particle (The Depot); Fatlib (Suede, Park City)

Wednesday 7.12

BARRINGTON LEVY

It feels odd calling Barrington Levy the grandpapa of dancehall reggae. Less than three decades ago, the musical genre was considered groundbreaking by some, youthful racket by others. Levy helped popularize its speedy riddims and “slack” lyricism, giving artists like Sean Paul and Shaggy a platform to stand, or grind, on. Now he’s a god among beach-bums-turned-musicians, namely the Long Beach Dub Allstars who recorded with him “Saw Red,” a wonderful version of “She’s Mine.” Every day they love him just a little bit more … Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com.

Also Wednesday: Paul Oakenfold (In the Venue); Jonah Matraga (Kilby Court); Blackhawk (Sandy Amphitheater)

COMING UP

Martin Sexton (Gallivan Center, July 13). AFI (Utah State Fairpark, July 13). Built to Spill (The Depot, July 13). Koko Taylor (Red Butte Garden, July 14). Social Distortion (In the Venue, July 14). Dave Hole (The Depot, July 14-15). LL Cool J (Harry O’s, July 15). The Sword (Club Vegas, July 17). Rusted Root (The Depot, July 19). Vans Warped Tour (Utah State Fairpark, July 22). Panic at the Disco (In the Venue, July 24). Ween (In the Venue, July 27). Frank Black (Urban Lounge, July 27). Chris Isaak (The Depot, July 29). The Rentals (In the Venue, July 28). X, Rollins Band (The Depot, Aug. 4). Def Leppard, Journey (Usana Amphitheater, Aug. 16).